Camren Speer balances a pair of American flags while holding cupcakes during the Red, Hot and Blue Festival at Waterway Square in The Woodlands Thursday. Go to HCNPics.com to view and purchase this photo, and others like it.

Camren Speer balances a pair of American flags while holding cupcakes during the Red, Hot and Blue Festival at Waterway Square in The Woodlands Thursday. Go to HCNPics.com to view and purchase this photo, and

Bottom-right, Cameron Waller tries to keep her balance on a training surfboard as instructor Rina McNeiel with Surfset Fitness holds her hand during the Red, Hot and Blue Festival at Waterway Square in The Woodlands Thursday. Go to HCNPics.com to view and purchase these photos, and others like them.

Bottom-right, Cameron Waller tries to keep her balance on a training surfboard as instructor Rina McNeiel with Surfset Fitness holds her hand during the Red, Hot and Blue Festival at Waterway Square in The

Hundreds of people attended the Red, Hot and Blue Festival at Waterway Square in The Woodlands Thursday. Go to HCNPics.com to view and purchase this photo, and others like it.

Hundreds of people attended the Red, Hot and Blue Festival at Waterway Square in The Woodlands Thursday. Go to HCNPics.com to view and purchase this photo, and others like it.

Photo: Conroe Courier

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Hundreds of people attended the Red, Hot and Blue Festival at Waterway Square in The Woodlands Thursday. Go to HCNPics.com to view and purchase this photo, and others like it.

Hundreds of people attended the Red, Hot and Blue Festival at Waterway Square in The Woodlands Thursday. Go to HCNPics.com to view and purchase this photo, and others like it.

Photo: Conroe Courier

Image 8 of 8

Woodlands lights up her slice of America

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The Woodlands — America received a double helping of rockets’ red glare from The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau on her birthday this year as the convention added an extra fireworks show at the annual Red, Hot and Blue Festival.

Nick Wolda, the bureau’s president, said the township added the extra pyrotechnics display to “increase visibility.” As the buildings and landscape continue to rise around the waterway, Wolda said more locations allow more people to enjoy the celebration.

Celebrators crowded Town Green Park and the waterway for live music, games, food and more. The festival followed a parade on Thursday morning attended by thousands of visitors.

“We continue to see The Woodlands is a preferential spot to celebrate great holiday events,” he said.

And word has spread beyond the township as well.

Roderick Cox, hailing from East Texas, came for the second year to see family and the fireworks.

There are celebrations in his neck of the woods, “but not like this one,” he said.

Pressed to pick a favorite event, he chose the hot dog and watermelon eating contest in Town Green Park.

Melinda Yanock walked among the contestants encouraging them onward to glory. She said she was impressed by the amount of food they could eat, and they kept it all down.

“Well maybe. I got a green face down there at the end,” she said.

Contestants began the third heat chomping down single slices of watermelon, but as the race grew close some started shoving them down their gullets two at a time. Then, shouts came from the audience like at any boxing match or football game.

“Don’t make ‘em laugh,” Yanock warned. “Don’t make ‘em choke.”

The festival even provided a few ways for the contestants to burn off the calories from the hotdogs. Two rock walls on either side of the festival were available to the more daring members of the crowd.

Aptly named 8-year old Patriot Anderson deftly scrambled up one side with a determined look on his face. He became interested in the sport after attending a rock-climbing camp last summer.

The wall towered above him, at least seven times his own height as the sun baked, looming treacherously in the sky.

But was he ever scared?

“Like once,” he said with a fearlessness that only comes with youth.

Street performers walked among the crowd entertaining the masses. Vendors showcased their wares in dozens of booths. Lines of people in desperate need of cold beverages snaked along the pathway leaving little room to maneuver.

By the end of the night, children slumped in their baby carriages or in their parents’ arms. While the parents lucky enough to have strollers leaned into the handlebars for support.

“There’s nothing more special than celebrating America’s independence right here,” Wolda said.